Jay Hieron

James Thomas Hieronymus (born July 29, 1976) is an American actor, stuntman and former mixed martial artist. Hieron was the final IFL Welterweight Champion, competing for the Los Angeles Anacondas, and has also competed in the UFC, WEC, Affliction, Strikeforce, and Bellator.

Jay Hieron
Jay Hieron in 2009, at the weigh-in before the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event.
Born (1976-07-29) July 29, 1976
Freeport, New York, United States
Other namesThe Thoroughbred
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach75 in (191 cm)
Fighting out ofLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
TeamXtreme Couture
RankNJCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active2003–2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total30
Wins23
By knockout6
By submission7
By decision10
Losses7
By knockout4
By decision3
UniversityHofstra University
Notable school(s)Nassau Community College
Freeport High School (New York)
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Early life

Hieron went to live with John and Theo Hieronymous when he was a newborn due to the fact that his mother had trouble raising him. He was officially adopted by the couple when he was eight years old.[1]

Hieron, a two-time state wrestling championship runner-up at Freeport (N.Y.) High School and national Junior College Champion at Nassau (N.Y.) Community College, where he earned an associate degree, Hieron later attended Hofstra University. Before his senior year at Hofstra University, he tested positive for marijuana, and was unable to wrestle his senior year.

Mixed martial arts

After being kicked off the wrestling team at Hofstra University, Hieron began dealing drugs before being charged with a felony.[2] He turned to boxing to let his aggressions out on the bags. Finding this to be a good stress-reliever, and with the encouragement of some friends who trained in MMA, Hieron combined his wrestling skills and burgeoning boxing prowess into a professional MMA career.

Early career

In March 2006, Hieron won the Lockdown in Paradise in Lahaina, Hawaii, and in June 2006 won his IFL debut at the IFL Team Championships in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Following the demise of the International Fight League due to financial concerns, Hieron signed with Affliction in August 2008.[3] However, that promotion soon folded as well, so Hieron signed with Strikeforce.

Strikeforce

Hieron's first Strikeforce fight was set to be against fellow former Zuffa competitor Nick Diaz at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg for the inaugural Strikeforce welterweight title. However, Diaz missed a pre-fight drug test mandated by the California State Athletic Commission and was denied a license to compete. Jesse Taylor was named to replace Diaz and the fight was changed to a non-title bout.[4] Hieron won by unanimous decision. He had his heart set on a title shot against Nick Diaz, but has stated that he would be comfortable fighting any top level opponent, as long as the fight, and name is helping him move forward in his career.

Hieron faced Joe Riggs on January 30, 2010 at Strikeforce: Miami.[5] Hieron won the fight via unanimous decision. After the fight had finished, Hieron's contract with Strikeforce was completed, prompting Hieron to immediately call for demands should he sign a new one. The demands included a shot at champion Nick Diaz and guaranteed television spots.

Bellator Fighting Championships

Hieron and Explosion Entertainment were unable to come to terms, so Hieron instead ended up signing to fight on Bellator Fighting Championships in the promotion's Season 4 welterweight tournament. In the opening quarterfinal round Hieron won via controversial stoppage when referee Josh Rosenthal stopped the bout when Lapsley did not respond to a hand check. Lapsley contested he wasn't out and this appeared to be the case, but given the position, it is unlikely that he would have survived the round. Hieron stated in a post-fight interview that Lapsley was gurgling and he felt him going out.[6] Hieron won a controversial unanimous decision victory over Brent Weedman at Bellator 40 to move on to the tournament finals. At Bellator 43 Hieron defeated Rick Hawn via split decision to win the Season 4 Welterweight Tournament. With this victory Hieron earned a title shot against Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren. Askren defeated Hieron via controversial split decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Hieron was expected to face Jake Ellenberger in a rematch on September 1, 2012 at UFC 151, replacing an injured Josh Koscheck.[7] However, after the UFC 151 event was cancelled, Ellenberger/Hieron took place on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5.[8] Hieron lost via unanimous decision.

Hieron was expected to face Erick Silva on February 2, 2013 at UFC 156.[9] However, Silva pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Tyron Woodley.[10] He lost the fight KO (punches) in round 1 and was subsequently released from the promotion.[11]

On March 7, 2014, Hieron announced his retirement from MMA competition.[12]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
30 matches 23 wins 7 losses
By knockout 6 4
By submission 7 0
By decision 10 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 23–7 Tyron Woodley KO (punches) UFC 156 February 2, 2013 1 0:36 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 23–6 Jake Ellenberger Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot October 5, 2012 3 5:00 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 23–5 Romario da Silva Technical Submission (d'arce choke) Legacy Fighting Championship 12 July 13, 2012 2 2:04 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 22–5 Ben Askren Decision (split) Bellator 56 October 29, 2011 5 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States For Bellator Welterweight Championship
Win 22–4 Rick Hawn Decision (split) Bellator 43 May 7, 2011 3 5:00 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Final
Win 21–4 Brent Weedman Decision (unanimous) Bellator 40 April 9, 2011 3 5:00 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal
Win 20–4 Anthony Lapsley Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 35 March 5, 2011 1 3:39 Lemoore, California, United States Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal
Win 19–4 Joe Riggs Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Miami January 30, 2010 3 5:00 Sunrise, Florida, United States
Win 18–4 Jesse Taylor Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg August 15, 2009 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 17–4 Jason High KO (punch) Affliction: Day of Reckoning January 24, 2009 1 1:04 Anaheim, California, United States
Win 16–4 Chris Kennedy Decision (unanimous) SuperFights MMA: Night of Combat 2 October 11, 2008 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15–4 Mark Miller TKO (punches) IFL: New Jersey April 4, 2008 1 2:10 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Defended IFL Welterweight Championship
Win 14–4 Delson Heleno TKO (leg injury) IFL World Grand Prix Finals December 29, 2007 1 4:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States IFL 2007 Welterweight Grand Prix Final; Won inaugural IFL Welterweight Championship
Win 13–4 Donnie Liles Decision (unanimous) IFL: World Grand Prix Semifinals November 3, 2007 3 4:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States IFL 2007 Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal
Loss 12–4 Brad Blackburn KO (punches) IFL: Everett June 1, 2007 1 0:40 Everett, Washington, United States
Win 12–3 Donnie Liles Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: Los Angeles March 17, 2007 1 2:49 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 11–3 Victor Moreno Submission (rear-naked choke) IFL: Houston February 2, 2007 1 1:55 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 10–3 Chris Wilson Decision (unanimous) IFL: World Championship Semifinals November 2, 2006 3 4:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 10–2 Amos Sotelo Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: Portland September 9, 2006 1 0:26 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 9–2 Jake Ellenberger Decision (unanimous) IFL: Championship 2006 June 3, 2006 3 4:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 8–2 Steve Schneider TKO (punches) Titan FC 1 March 11, 2006 1 0:55 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Loss 7–2 Jonathan Goulet TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night 2 October 3, 2005 3 1:05 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–1 Pat Healy Decision (unanimous) IFC: Rock N' Rumble July 30, 2005 3 5:00 Reno, Nevada, United States
Win 6–1 Richard Brass Decision (unanimous) WEC 15: Judgment Day May 19, 2005 3 5:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 5–1 Ronald Jhun TKO (doctor stoppage) Lockdown in Paradise 1 March 19, 2005 1 4:34 Hawaii, United States
Loss 4–1 Georges St-Pierre TKO (punches) UFC 48 June 19, 2004 1 1:42 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–0 Fabio Holanda Decision (unanimous) MMA: Eruption April 30, 2004 3 5:00 Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
Win 3–0 Fernando Munoz Submission (punches) Ring of Combat 6 April 24, 2004 1 0:33 Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
Win 2–0 Jermaine Johnson Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Combat 5 December 14, 2003 1 1:02 Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
Win 1–0 Keith Plate TKO (punches) Reality Fighting 4 July 19, 2003 1 1:28 Bayonne, New Jersey, United States
gollark: Wait, ep**02**?
gollark: > only people who participated in the lyrci poetitionno. unreasonable.
gollark: Snail bank.
gollark: Business ideas other than snail farm?
gollark: "Yes, thank you. I operate a small but profitable snail farm, and would be interested in receiving more capital to make this work."

See also

References
  1. "Jay Hieron: Resurrection". FIGHTMAGAZINE.com. 2010-01-26. Archived from the original on 2011-01-27. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  2. Life & Times of Jay Hieron Vol. 2 « Xtreme Couture MMA
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-08-18. Retrieved 2008-08-14.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. Morgan, John (2009-08-10). "Former "TUF 7" contestant Jesse Taylor steps in for Nick Diaz at "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg"". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  5. "Joe Riggs vs Jay Hieron at Strikeforce: 'Miami' on Jan. 30". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQvMTd1Gr6M
  7. "Jay Hieron rejoins the UFC, meets Jake Ellenberger at UFC 151". mmajunkie.com. August 8, 2012.
  8. "With UFC 151 scrapped, Ellenberger-Hieron moved to UFC on FX 5 in Minneapolis". mmajunkie.com. August 23, 2012. Archived from the original on August 25, 2012.
  9. "Jay Hieron vs. Erick Silva added to February's UFC 156 event". MMAjunkie.com. November 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013.
  10. "Tyron Woodley replaces injured Erick Silva, faces Jay Hieron at UFC 156". MMAjunkie.com. January 2, 2013.
  11. MMAjunkie.com Staff (February 20, 2013). "UFC releases Jon Fitch, Vladimir Matyushenko, 14 others". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013.
  12. Dann Stupp (March 7, 2014). "Big-show vet Jay Hieron announces MMA retirement". mmajunkie.com.
New championship 1st IFL Welterweight Champion
December 29, 2007 – July 31, 2008		 Succeeded by
IFL ceased operations
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.